Oh, God, Ben, what have you gotten us into?
She sat on the edge of the cot. Elizabeth mumbled in her sleep and rolled over onto her side. Tamsyn buried her face into her hands and let the tears roll down her face unhindered. The light in the lantern burned low when she stood and paced the tent. It was sparsely furnished. The cot and a trunk.
General Steele travels light.
She tiptoed to the flap and edged it back.
“Is there something you need, miss?” A young soldier’s face appeared before her. He smiled. He didn’t even have whiskers yet.
“No.” Dropping the flap she retreated back inside. Exhausted, she curled onto the cot around her daughter and closed her eyes. She didn’t expect her heart to slow down enough to sleep.
Chapter Four
Sunday, April 9, 1865
“Sir, with all due respect, it’s your duty to make an example of her.”
Tamsyn jerked awake. Her ears strained to hear the whispers of the men outside the tent. The light, filtering in around the edges told her it was just after dawn. She’d managed to sleep for a couple of hours.
“What would you have me do?” General Steele’s voice floated in. The Yankee lilt of his voice was a strange comfort. Last night, he’d offered to help.
“Hang her, sir.”
She gripped the edge of the cot and swallowed the bile rising in her throat. She didn’t recognize the second voice.
“The other men—”
“I’m still your commanding officer. The decision is mine to make.”
Silence.
“Order the men ready. We’ll march to meet General Grant this morning. Lee and his army are surrounded. This ends today, one way or another.”
Tamsyn heard Ben’s dying voice in her head. “
Lee is going to surrender the Army of Northern Virginia. Everyone knows it’s coming. He’s backed into a corner
.”
“But, sir, the woman…”
“Let’s not add to the death count just yet, Hawkins.” General Steele’s hand curved around the flap. “If this ends today, you’ll be home in time for your boy’s first birthday.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“Mama?” Elizabeth stirred next to her, then sat up, rubbing the sleep from her eyes and stretched.
Tamsyn sat up on the cot next to her daughter.
“Good morning, Little Bit.” General Steele pushed into the tent.
Knowles followed on the general’s heels in silence.
“Good morning.” Elizabeth returned his smile.
“How would you like for Knowles to take you to get something for breakfast?”
“Oh, yes, please.” She pushed the quilt off her feet. “Can Mama come too?”
“I want to talk with your Mama for a few minutes.”
“Come on.” Knowles held out a hand. “Let’s see if we can find something more than hardtack to fill your belly.”
“Don’t make my Mama cry, mister.” Elizabeth tossed General Steele a harsh look before taking Knowles’ hand.
“Elizabeth Moody!” Tamsyn said.
“It’s all right.” General Steele smiled and he inclined his head. “Cross my heart, Little Bit. I promise I won’t make her cry.”
Elizabeth left the tent and Tamsyn’s hands curled into fists. She recalled the angry voice of the soldier. “Will she be safe in the camp?” She pressed a fist against her stomach.
“Knowles will protect her.”
“But, he’s so… Why is he?”
“Small?” General Steele pulled a chair from the corner and he sat it in front of her “I’d trust him with my life. Little Bit will be safe.”
“Is there something wrong?”
He smiled and dropped into the chair. “Every soldier has their own secrets. It’s not my place to tell.”
Secrets, right.
“I sent my men to bury your husband this morning.”
She remained silent.
Another soldier brought in two tin cups and a dented tin pot of coffee.
“How did you know?”
“I’m sorry for your loss.” He offered her a cup of steaming dark liquid. “It tastes like shit, but it’s better than nothing.” His deep voice rumbled softly. “Pardon my language, Mrs. Moody.”
She wrapped her fingers around the cup. She sipped politely and glanced up at the general through her eyelashes.
A lock of black hair dropped onto his forehead and a sudden urge to brush it back swept over her. She dropped her gaze to the tin cup of dirt-colored coffee. The sun filtered in through the tent and she chanced another look. In the light, stubble covered a square jaw.
He’s handsome.
Her eyes caught strong fingers wrapped around his coffee.
For a Yankee, of course.
“You’re right.” She pressed her hand harder against her stomach. “It does taste like shit.”
His lips curved into a smile.
Perfect teeth.
His smile vanished. “Did your husband tell you what was in the letter he gave you?”
She stiffened and dropped her gaze to his hands. “No.” She set the tin of coffee on the ground by her feet.
“Did you know he was a spy?” He leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees.
“Not until yesterday.” Closing her eyes, she fought to control her breathing. Fear and foul coffee simmered in her belly and she swallowed hard.
“Can you read, Mrs. Moody?”
His question shocked her. Her eyes flew open and she glared at him. “Yes.”
Ignorant Yankee thinks I’m uneducated.
She pressed her lips together. Her fingers laced together in her lap.
“The seal was broken. Did you read it?”
“No. Your soldiers broke the seal.” She frowned. “How did you know where we lived?”
He waved her question aside. “Did your husband tell you there was a union regiment between you and General Lee’s army?”
She lowered her head again.
“Did he tell you a child and her mother would pass along the road in safety?”
Her hair fell around her face and hid the tears on her cheeks.
Like a fool, I believed Ben.
A large warm hand covered hers. He squeezed and leaned forward. “Tamsyn.” He tucked her hair behind her ear and she leaned into his touch.
She looked up, his face blurred by her tears. “Will they let me take Elizabeth to my mother before I’m hung?”
His thumb brushed the tears from her face. His lips were so close. His breath warm on her face.
A soldier pushed the flap back on the tent. “General Steele, sir!”
Her breath rushed out of her and the general leaned back. His hazel eyes narrowed and anger flickered over his face. “What is it?” His gaze remained locked with hers.
“A messenger arrived, from General Grant, sir.”
“I’ll meet with him directly.” General Steele dismissed the soldier. “Come along.” He stood and offered his elbow. “The men are preparing to march.”
“Where are they going?” She hesitated before slipping her hand around his arm.
“We ride to meet with Grant and his army at Appomattox.” He hurried them through the camp. Soldiers scurried out of his way to let him pass. “You and Little Bit will ride with the doctor and the other prisoners.”
The general stopped and looked down at her. “You are my prisoner, Mrs. Moody.” His eyes narrowed. He lowered his head until his lips rested against her ear. “Until this is over, one way or another, you are my prisoner.”
Tamsyn shivered.
“The medical tent is over here.” He led her to a large white canvas structure. Inside, she heard Elizabeth’s squeals of laughter.
He pushed aside the closed flap and she stepped inside. Her gaze found Elizabeth settled on one of the cots. A patient sat with her and attempted to teach her how to roll dice. Knowles stood nearby, eyes alert to everything going on around him.
“Mama!” Elizabeth leapt from the cot. “Look!” She pointed with excitement at the patient. The blond man turned, a wide grin spread across his face.
“Davis?” Tamsyn’s knees gave out. Strong arms gripped her sides.
“Easy, Mrs. Moody,” General Steele whispered in her ear. “I’ll leave her in your care, Doc.” He motioned for Knowles to join him and they slipped out of the tent.
“Davis.” Tamsyn hurried to her brother’s side. She dropped next to the cot and wrapped her arms around her twin. “Oh my God, why didn’t you get word to us? We’ve been so worried.”
“Mama! It’s Uncle Davey!” Elizabeth clapped and giggled.
“I see that.” She let go of her brother and wiped the tears from her eyes. “How did you know?” She aimed her question at her brother. Uncle and niece had never met.
“The general talked with me last night,” Davis said. Elizabeth climbed up onto the cot next to him. “He told me you were here.”
“Mama, look.” Elizabeth pulled the thin blue blanket away from Davis’ legs. “The doctor cut it off!”
Her gaze dropped to her brother’s legs. She gasped. His right leg was missing from the knee down.
“Doc tried to save it,” Davis hurried to explain. “It went gangrene. He said my only chance was if he cut it off.” Davis smiled while Elizabeth tugged the blanket back over him.
“You told the general where I lived last night.”
Davis nodded. “What the hell was Ben thinking? Dragging you and Elizabeth into his twisted spy game?” Davis gripped Tamsyn’s hand.
“Did you know he was spying?” she asked.
“I heard rumors. Tam, what the hell were you thinking? They could hang you. You should’ve just burned the damn letter.”
“He died on the front steps of our house.” Tamsyn lowered her head. “He did so much for me…”
“Tam…”
“It was the only thing he’d ever asked of me, Dave. How could I say no? I thought about burning it, after he died.” She shrugged. “How are they treating you?”
“Good.” Davis glanced at the doctor, who stood packing his medical supply bag and winked at Tamsyn. “Steele is a good man, as far as Yankees go.”
The doctor shot them both a hard look. “I told you, young man.” The doctor pointed a sharp scalpel, his bushy white brows met in the middle as he reprimanded his patient. “I’ll not tolerate that sort of talk in my tent.”
“Yes, sir, Doc.” Davis’ green eyes twinkled. “I apologize.”
“Now, try these.” The doc brought Davis a pair of crudely carved crutches. Davis eyed them with suspicion. “Would you rather I call one of the soldiers to help you?”
“No.” Davis took the crutches.
“Show your sister and the little girl where the wagon is.” The doctor went back to his tasks.
Tamsyn moved to help her brother stand, but he waved her aside.
“How long have you been here?” she asked.
Davis swung his legs to the ground. Pulling up on the crutches, he grimaced.
“About eight months,” the doctor answered for him.
“Surely not that long, Doc.” Davis adjusted the crutches under his arms.
“Yes, it has,” the doctor grumbled. “You were touch and go for a while, son. I’d hope you don’t remember much of it.”
Davis nodded before leading Tamsyn and Elizabeth out of the tent. “He’s an excellent doctor,” Davis said.
They walked out into the busy activity of the camp and Tamsyn clutched Elizabeth’s hand. The wagon sat next to the tent.
“He told me my cough would be gone soon,” Elizabeth said.
Tamsyn lifted her into the back of the wagon. She looked to her brother for an explanation.
“She started coughing.” Davis handed Tamsyn the crutches and pulled himself backside first into the wagon. “Doc took a listen and said she would be okay in a few weeks.”
Tamsyn closed her eyes in relief.
“Well, come on, Tam.” Davis took the crutches from her hands. “Doc doesn’t like to dillydally.”
She stared at the back of the wagon and frowned. Without a stool, there was no way to maneuver into the wagon while keeping her ankles covered and her dignity intact.
To hell with it.
Tamsyn gripped her skirts and crawled up.
Elizabeth giggled and Tamsyn settled her skirts back over her legs.
“Miss, you were welcome to ride up front with me,” the doctor called over his shoulder as he stepped into the driver’s seat.
Across the camp, General Steele ordered the regiment to march out before trotting his horse in their direction.
“Are you comfortable, Mrs. Moody?”
Tamsyn tucked her legs beneath her and pulled Elizabeth into her lap. The wagon jerked to a start and Tamsyn toppled backwards. Elizabeth’s laughter mingled with her brother’s. She pushed herself back up. She clenched her jaw, her face burned with embarrassment, and nodded.
The general chuckled and urged the horse into a canter, blending into the line of moving soldiers.
“Sorry about that,” the doctor called back. “Ole Jack-mule never did master the art of a smooth start.”
“Or stop,” Davis added.
“Are you hurt, miss?”
“Just a bit startled is all,” Tamsyn replied politely. She tossed a dirty look at her brother. She brushed only the swiftest of gazes over the stub of Davis’ leg. “How did it happen?”
“Did a Yankee shoot off your leg?” Elizabeth asked.
Tamsyn wrapped her arms around her daughter, grateful the wagon trailed behind the Union soldiers.
Davis reached over and ruffled Elizabeth’s hair. “Sis, that’s an image you don’t need in that pretty little head of yours.” Davis pinched Elizabeth’s nose. “I wish it weren’t in mine.”
Chapter Five
They marched slowly. A line of Union soldiers dotted the road ahead of them. Near midday they were still on the move.
“Are we almost there?” Elizabeth shifted, uncomfortable in Tamsyn’s lap and rubbed her eyes.
“Davis?” Tamsyn nudged her brother awake. “Are we almost there? It shouldn’t take this long to get to Appomattox.”
“Doc is at the back of the line. General Steele kept the march slow, I suspect to keep the soldiers from being exhausted if they had to fight.” He reached to pinch Elizabeth’s nose.
Elizabeth giggled and swatted Davis’ hand away.
“Dave, are you the only prisoner?” Tamsyn asked.
“Until you were caught, yes. General Steele sent the others ahead weeks ago. They were all fit enough to be sent on to the prisoner’s camp.”
Tamsyn shuddered. She’d heard rumors about the prison camps.
“Tell me, sis, what did you do to the General?” Dave took Elizabeth from her. His gaze slid over her shoulder.